Communication system and methods for enhanced information transfer

ABSTRACT

A communication system (20) is provided with multiple purpose personal communication devices (50 and 150). Each communication device (50 and 150) includes a touch-sensitive visual display (60 and 160) to communicate text and graphic information to and from the user and for operating the communication device (50 and 150). Voice activation (78) and voice control capabilities (76) are included within communication devices (50 and 150) to perform the same functions as the touch-sensitive visual display (60 and 160). The communication device includes a built-in modem (82), audio input and output (52 and 53), telephone jacks (86), and wireless communication (90). A plurality of application modules (100) are used with personal communication devices (50 and 150) to perform a wide variety of communication functions such as information retrievable, on-line data base services, electronic and voice mail. Communication devices (50 and 150) and application modules (100) cooperate to allow integrating multiple functions such as real time communication, information storage and processing, specialized information services, and remote control of other equipment into an intuitively user friendly apparatus. The system (20) includes both desktop (150) and hand-held communication devices (50) with the same full range of communication capabilities provided in each type of communication device (50 and 150).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to the following co-pending patentapplications:

application Ser. No. 07/990,588 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,

application Ser. No. 07/993,947 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,

application Ser. No. 07/991,015 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,

application Ser. No. 07/991,013 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,

application Ser. No. 07/992,384 filed on Dec. 15, 1992,

application Ser. No. 07/992,291 filed on Dec. 15, 1992.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to communication and information storage andprocessing systems and more particularly to communication devices withprocessors, expanded memory capability, and visual displays for enhancedcommunication and information storage and processing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The communication industry is rapidly changing and offers a wide varietyof new products and services. The number of different services and thevolume of information available to consumers and business userscontinues to grow on almost an exponential basis. At the same time,rapid improvements are being made in telephone equipment andcommunication systems. The cellular telephone, facsimile machine, andmodem, that are offered for sale today, may be obsolete within a shortperiod of time. Several companies are proposing elaborate communicationnetworks using telephone wires, satellites, fiber optic cables, radiowaves and advanced electronic devices which will allow worldwidecommunication from a telephone.

Significant problems associated with the rapidly expanding number ofdifferent information services and data bases and the different types ofnew equipment include the wide variety of media formats, the lack ofinterchangeability both in hardware and software, and the need forcontinuous operator training. Frequently, highly valuable informationcan become obsolete and of no value if it is not quickly and easilyunderstood by the user. Also, each information service and each newpiece of equipment generally has a different format for presentinginformation to the user or for accepting information from the user. Thelack of standardization in equipment, format display, operatingprocedures, and input/output devices results in substantially limitingthe scope, accessibility, and value of potentially availableinformation.

Special purpose radio transmitters and receivers are used for selectedinformation such as the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administrationweather reports or commercial information from the Dow-Jones newsservice. These special information services frequently require adedicated, specifically tuned radio receiver and transmitter. Thesesystems and their related equipment are generally limited to the specialservice for which they were originally designed and have highlyrestricted information sources and formats.

Another problem is maintaining security of the data bases and allowingonly authorized access to selected information. Presenttelecommunication systems tend to rely upon time consuming verificationprocedures with identification numbers, code numbers, etc. to preventfraud and use of stolen equipment and information.

Another problem with present systems is that the transmission bandwidthfor today's telephone systems (audio, digital tone, and rotary pulses)is insufficient for delivery of multi-media information to consumers ina timely, coherent manner. Cellular and mobile phones have beenavailable for some time; however, they are generally limited to onlyaudio input and output. Cellular phones generally have a traditionalmechanical or electrical numerical keypad. In order to update a cellulartelephone as improved technology becomes available, the old cellularphone must be replaced with a new cellular telephone.

Various devices for use with personal computers, e.g., Wizard® bySharp®, are offered to improve user productivity. These devicesgenerally do not provide for two-way interactive communication with aremote source similar to telephones. They generally require a multiplewire cable between the personal productivity device and the personalcomputer. They frequently require batch uploads and batch downloads ofdata with no modem capability. The personal productivity devicesgenerally have an input and output capability limited to the availablesmall keypad. Audio input and output is generally not available andlittle or no graphic information capability is provided.

While prior telephone systems have worked satisfactorily, as newcommunication networks are established and information data basesrapidly increase, a need for instant customer verification andidentification will become more important. Teaching consumers theoperating procedures for new equipment and new software packagespresents a significant limitation to full use and commercial success ofthese new communication and information systems. It will also benecessary to send the maximum amount of information in the shortestpossible time period to allow more communication over limited frequencyspectrums.

Therefore, a need has arisen for a communication system with enhancedcapability for data handling (storage, retrieval, and transmission),secure two-way communication when desired, and enhanced informationpresentation along with an easy to operate and understand communicationdevice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a communication system alongwith equipment and methods for enhanced information storage, processingand exchange is provided that substantially eliminates disadvantages andproblems associated with previous communication systems and methods.

A multiple purpose communication system is provided with personalcommunication devices for enhanced exchange of information using thefull capabilities of the electromagnetic energy spectrum. Thecommunication devices include a touch-sensitive visual display whichsignificantly enhances the communication of visual and graphicinformation to and from the user. The touch-sensitive visual displayalso provides the basis for an intuitive user interface between thecommunication device and the communication system. The communicationdevices incorporate microprocessors and associated electronic circuitsto provide a wide range of communication capability while maintainingmany of the user friendly characteristics associated with conventionaltelephones.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hand-heldcommunication device is provided for use with either wireless (cellularor other assigned frequencies) or standard telephone lines and telephonejacks. The communication device may include a microphone and speaker foraudio input and output, a modem for high speed transmission ofinformation in a digital format, and a touch-sensitive visual display.Headsets may also be provided as part of the audio output circuit.Application modules containing a microprocessor and associatedelectronic circuits, and memory components may be inserted into thecommunication device to perform different communication and informationtransfer functions.

An important technical advantage of the present invention is thatcommunication capabilities and options of the system maybe greatlyexpanded without requiring replacement of the basic personalcommunication devices and without requiring extensive retraining of theuser.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a multiple purposecommunication system is provided with communication devices having threebroad categories of applications:

resident applications and core programs stored in a personalcommunication device;

applications based on separate application modules; and

applications provided from external information services. Core programsand applications contained within the communication device may includemodem capability, customized data and preferences for each user, basictelephone and pager services, and utility programs to upload anddownload the various application modules.

The separate application modules, used with each communication device,may provide the following applications:

a personal profile for each user including telephone directory;

personal information--calendars, daily and weekly reminders;

communication security; and

expanded information storage and processing. The application modules mayalso be used to provide applications for outside services such asCompuServe, Prodigy, Dow-Jones news retrieval service, weather service,city map locator and navigation service, electronic and voice mailcapabilities, and other on-line data base services, and may havefacsimile transmission capabilities.

An important technical advantage of the present invention is thatseparate application modules are available to allow maximum use of theelectromagnetic energy spectrum. For example, one application module mayallow the communication device to operate at the required frequency andwith appropriate protocols for a conventional cellular telephonenetwork. Another application module may have the required frequency andprotocols to allow the communication device to function as a cordlesstelephone. In the same manner, application modules may be provided toallow the personal communication device to function in an industrialcontrol environment, a wireless broadcasting system, or for infraredcommunication such as found in remote controlled televisions and videocassette recorders. The present invention provides application moduleswith required frequency, protocols, and in some cases a microstripantenna to allow use of the associated personal communication device ineach of the available segments of the electromagnetic energy spectrum.The present invention allows for simply removing one application moduleand inserting another application module to allow use of multiplecommunication networks by each personal communication device.

The present invention has another significant technical advantages inthat a communication system is provided using personal communicationdevices with enhanced information exchange and storage capability thatmay be modified by inserting different application modules. Separateapplication modules are provided for selected information transfer andcommunication functions. The overall system may be quickly upgraded andmodified by changing the separate application modules without requiringmodification or change to the basic personal communication device.Therefore, the communication system may be continually used andmaintained at the leading edge of technology by simply revising andupdating the desired application modules. Furthermore, the applicationmodules may be carried in a small container that allows easytransportation and storage while providing maximum informationcapability and communicate network versatility.

The present invention has another significant technical advantage inthat the communication devices may perform a wide range of functionsresulting from the use of microprocessors and associated integratedcircuits. These functions include a modem for the high speed transfer ofinformation and a touch-sensitive visual display. The touch sensitivevisual display provides both enhanced information to the user andimproves the ease and reliability of operating the communication device.The interactive visual display provides a user interface whichintuitively integrates multiple communication, information and controlfunctions.

An additional technical advantage of the present invention is the use ofthe personal communication device with application modules which respondto voice commands and are voice activated. Functions that are carriedout with a keyboard on personal computers or the touch-sensitive visualdisplay of the personnel communication device may also be carried outthrough recognition of selected voice commands. By including voicerecognition and voice activation within a selected application module orthe personal communication device as desired, improved security may beobtained and enhanced communication functions provided. An applicationmodule with a transponder incorporating the present invention may beinserted into the communication device to allow a communication networksuch as found in an airport or other building to recognize the presenceof and identify the communication device and the user. The user's voicecommands could then be recognized on the communication device andnumbers automatically dialed, such as telephone numbers presented on thevisual display for dialing or other selected information presented basedon the specific communication network and transponder. The numbers canbe dialed by either using the touch-sensitive visual display or spokencommands. Authentication can be conducted by using personalidentification numbers through the touch-sensitive visual display or byvoice recognition and the use of passwords to activate variouscommunication networks associated with the personal communicationdevice. Additionally, spoken con, hands may be used to select differentapplications and programs for use with the personal communicationdevice.

The present invention has further technical advantages in that the audiotransmission from the communication device is substantially enhanced ascompared to conventional telephones, cellular telephones and mobileradio systems. The communication device includes a digital signalprocessing circuit which cancels ambient noise associated with theoutgoing or transmitted signal to remove ambient noise associated withthe transmitting environment. The digital signal processing circuit alsocancels ambient noise which is superimposed on incoming or receivedsignals to reduce the perception of receiving environmental noise alongwith the received signal. The digital signal processing circuit includesa filter network to remove stable sound pattern characteristics from thetransmission system. An important feature of the present invention isthat the microprocessor-based digital signal processing circuit allowsinstallation of algorithms and modification of the algorithm as changesoccur both in the receiving and transmitting operating environment. Asecond microphone may also be provided in the communication device toaid in cancelling ambient noise.

An additional significant technical advantage of the present inventionis improved security to prevent unauthorized interception of informationtransmission, particularly with respect to mobile communication devices.The communication system of the present invention allows encryption anddecryption to take place both within the communication device of theindividual user and between the communication device and a central database computer which maintains each user's account and billing files. Theencryption and decryption scheme may be hard wired into eachcommunication device as part of the resident applications. Or, theencryption device may be provided as part of one of the applicationmodules used with the communication device. The encryption anddecryption scheme may be voice activated and installed at the centraldata base or central service facility. The individual communicationdevices may contain a general encryption circuit for voice verificationwith parameters of the user's voice and the decryption scheme maintainedat a central facility or within each communication device. Anycompatible communication device may be used with the communicationsystem rather than having each communication device programmed for eachspecific user. Thus, the present invention allows for securedtransmissions when desired by the user without requiring the user tocarry a separate scrambler or other secure communication equipment.

Another technical advantage of the present invention is the integrationof communication functions such as information services, telephone,voice mail, etc. with control functions such as operating televisions,video cassette recorders, garage doors, etc. and with informationstorage functions such as phone lists, business data, calendarschedules, etc. This integration is accomplished by having acommunication device which accepts application modules to perform thesevarious functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a communication system incorporatingthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric drawing of a hand-held communication deviceincorporating the present invention for use with the communicationsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric drawing of a desk-top communication deviceincorporating the present invention for use with the communicationsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an isometric drawing of the hand-held communication devicefrom FIG. 1 in its first or closed position;

FIG. 5 is an isometric drawing of the hand-held device from FIG. 1showing installation of an application module;

FIG. 6a is a side view in elevation of the hand-held communicationdevice from FIG. 1 in its closed position;

FIG. 6b is a drawing in elevation of the hand-held communication devicefrom FIG. 1 in its standby position;

FIG. 6c is a drawing in elevation showing the hand-held device from FIG.1 in its telephone operating mode;

FIG. 6d is a drawing in elevation showing the hand-held communicatingdevice from FIG. 1 in its fully functional operating mode;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit used to operate acommunication device in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for an electrical circuit used to operate acommunication device in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9a is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual display usedwith communication devices of the present invention providing voice mailapplications;

FIG. 9b is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual display fromFIG. 9a used to provide a price list;

FIG. 9c is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual display fromFIG. 9a used to provide stock quotations;

FIG. 9d is a schematic drawing of the interactive visual display fromFIG. 9a used to provide map information; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for a typical electrical circuit used with anapplication module incorporating the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention and its advantagesare best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-10 of the drawings, likenumerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the variousdrawings.

Communication system 20 is shown in FIG. 1 incorporating variouscomponents and features of the present invention. The major componentsof communication system 20 comprise central facility 22, one or moreindependent information services 30 and 32, hand-held communicationdevice 50, and desktop communication device 150. The principalcomponents of communication system 20 may be connected with each otherby various communication networks such as land lines 34, broadcastantennas 36 and 37, microwave antennas 38 and 39, or satellite 40 andits associated satellite transmitters and receivers 41, 42, 43, and 44.Land lines 34 may be conventional telephone wires and telephone cablesor fiber optic cables.

Central facility 22 preferably has one or more information data bases 24and one or more mainframe computers 26. Communication system 20 mayinclude several central facilities 22 which are linked to each other vialand lines 34, satellite 40, microwave antennas 38 and 39, or othertypes of communication networks. Antennas 36 and 37 may transmit andreceive information throughout the complete spectrum of radiofrequencies including commercial radio, cellular telephones, and otherspecial information exchange frequencies. Hand-held communication device50 and desktop communication device 150 may receive information fromcentral facility 22 via land lines 34 or various radio frequenciesincluding a satellite communication network.

Information services 30 and 32 may provide information to centralfacility 22 via satellite transmission, microwave transmission,broadcast antenna 37 or land lines 34. Central facility 22 may in turnmake this information available to communication devices 50 and 150 viaany of the previously mentioned communication networks. Informationservices 30 and 32 may also provide information directly tocommunication devices 50 and 150. An important feature of communicationsystem 20 is the wide range of flexibility in choosing specificcommunication networks for the exchange of information and routinginformation to or from various sources and the user. The presentinvention allows communication devices 50 and 150 to receive informationfrom a plurality of sources through a wide variety of communicationnetworks and still present the information to the user in astandardized, familiar format. The present invention does not require adifferent communication device for each information service or eachcommunication network.

Personal communication devices 50 and 150 incorporating the presentinvention are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Communication device 50 has thegeneral configuration of a hand-held cellular telephone comprising amicrophone 52, speaker 53, lid 54 which is connected to main body 56 bypivot pin 58 and interactive visual display 60. Speaker 53 andmicrophone 52 are used to receive and transmit voice and other auditoryinformation.

Communication device 150 has the general configuration of a desktoptelephone with handle 152 and associated microphone and speaker, keypad154, main body 156, and interactive visual display 160. Combinedmicrophone and speaker 153 may also be included as part of main body156. Communication device 150 includes connection port 158 which may beused to connect communication device 150 to land lines 34 or satellitetransmitter/receiver 44. Connection port 158 may be a standard telephonejack such as phone line connection 86 and/or computer terminal 88 shownin electrical circuits 62 of FIG. 7. Desktop console 200 shown in FIG. 1may be used with hand-held communication device 50 to provide similarconnections with land lines 34, satellite transmitter/receiver 43, or apersonal computer (not shown).

Interactive visual displays 60 and 160 are substantially identical inall respects except for their exterior dimensions which are selected forcompatibility with their respective communication devices 50 and 150. Inthe following written description, references will frequently be made tovisual display 60 in describing electrical circuits 62 of FIG. 7 andelectrical circuits 262 of FIG. 8. Unless otherwise noted, visualdisplay 160 may be substituted for visual display 60. As will beapparent from reading the following written description, an importantfeature of the present invention is the standardization andinterchangeability of the various components associated withcommunication device 50 and communication device 150. Except for lid 54which is unique to hand-held communication device 50 and telephonehandle 152 which is unique to communication device 150, the electricalcircuits, electrical components, communication functions andapplications described for one communication device 50 or 150 applyequally well to the other communication device 50 or 150. Thiscommonality substantially reduces training requirements for users ofcommunication system 20, reduces the time required to upgrade andimprove the communication functions and services offered bycommunication system 20, and reduces the cost associated with initiallyestablishing communication system 20 and longterm maintenance and repairof communication system 20.

For hand-held communication device 50, lid 54 performs several importantfunctions as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6a through 6d. Hand-heldcommunication device 50 is normally powered by one or more batteriesexcept when communication device 50 is electrically connected with desktop console 200. The electrical components and circuits contained withincommunication device 50 will be described later in more detail. However,avoiding any unnecessary use of electrical energy from any batterieswithin power supply 66 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is an important feature ofthe present invention. The position of lid 54 may be monitored by amechanical switch, shaft potentiometer, or shaft encoder (not shown) asappropriate for electrical circuits 62 or 262 associated withcommunication device 50.

When lid 54 is in its first, closed position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6a,most of the electrical circuits associated with communication device 50are deenergized or placed in an inactive state. When lid 54 is closed,only a very few selected electrical circuits will be energized such as atimer, telephone ringing circuit, pager circuit or a preset alarm.Processor 80 of electrical circuit 62 or processor 280 of electricalcircuit 262 in cooperation with either its associated interactive visualdisplay 60 or 160 or digital signal processor 76 can select theelectrical circuits which will remain energized when lid 54 is closed.When lid 54 is closed, electrical energy taken from power supply 66 isreduced to the lowest level possible.

FIGS. 5 and 6c shows communication device 50 in its normal telephonemode. In this second position for lid 54, electrical circuits associatedwith telephone communications such as cellular transmitter and receivercircuits 90 will be energized. When lid 54 is in its third, fully openposition as shown in FIG. 6d, all of the electrical circuits andelectrical components contained within communication device 50 will befully energized. With lid 54 in its fully open position, the maximumelectrical drain may occur with respect to power supply 66.

With communication device 50 in its fully open position shown in FIG.6b, the gain for microphone 52 and speaker 53 may be increased and theappropriate electrical circuits energized for speaker phone operation.The functions presented on visual display 60 may also be modified forspeaker phone operation when lid 54 is in its fully open position. Thelength of time that information is presented on visual display 60 may becontrolled by the position of lid 54. For example, when lid 54 is fullyopen the visual display may be presented for an extended period of time.When lid 54 is in its normal telephone position of FIG. 6c, visualdisplay 60 may be activated only for a limited time period required tocomplete the desired telephone communication function. As will beexplained later in more detail, processor 80 and processor 280, alongwith their respective electrical circuits 62 and 262, provide the widevariety of options with respect to the operation of communication device50. Therefore, the applications and functions associated with oneposition of lid 54 may be reprogrammed for other positions or eliminatedas desired by the user of communication device 50.

FIG. 6b shows a fourth, intermediate position for lid 54 between itsfirst, closed position of FIG. 6a and its second, telephone position ofFIG. 6c. The intermediate position of FIG. 6b may be used forspecifically selected special communication functions. For example, animportant feature of the present invention is the ability to provide theuser with information from a wide variety of sources. Therefore, if theuser is particularly interested in information from the National WeatherService, the intermediate position of FIG. 6b can be used to energizethe electrical circuits associated with monitoring National WeatherService reports. If another user is interested in information from adifferent source such as the Dow Jones News Retrieval, this sameposition could be programmed by processor 80 or 280 to energize theelectrical circuits and applications associated with that particularinformation service. As will be explained later in more detail, thepresent invention allows communication device 50 to provide a wide rangeof communication options and information services to the user. Theintermediate position of lid 54 shown in FIG. 6b may be used to energizethe electrical circuits specifically associated with one of theseoptions.

Lid 54 also performs other, very important functions. When lid 54 isclosed, it protects visual display 60. As shown in FIG. 5, applicationmodule 100 may be inserted into lid 54. As will be explained later inmore detail, a wide variety of application modules 100 may be used withcommunication devices 50 and 150. Depending upon the physical dimensionof each application module 100 and the associated function, more thanone application module 100 may be inserted into lid 54. Lid 54 willpreferably include electrical connections (not shown) which arecompatible with connector 106 provided on application modules 100. Lid54 functions in part as a receptacle for connecting application modules100 with common bus 64 and electrical circuits 62 and 262. Applicationmodules 100 allow communication devices 50 and 150 to offer the user awide range of options concerning communication networks, informationstorage, information exchange, information display, remote control ofother equipment, etc.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of integrated electrical circuit 62satisfactory for use with either communication device 50 orcommunication device 150. An important element of the present inventionis the use of common bus 64 which allows the addition of variouscommunication and information options to communication devices 50 and150 respectively. Common bus 64 provides sufficient capacity to transmitinformation between processor 80, resident memory 84 and applicationmodule 100. Common bus 64 preferably allows the transmission of at least19 bits of information to address the various components associated withelectrical circuit 62 and an additional 16 bits of informationassociated with the data base contained in each memory unit associatedwith electrical circuit 62. Additional capacity may be provided oncommon bus 64 for encoding and decoding information. The specific designfor common bus 64 depends upon the specific requirements of residentmemory 84, application module 100 and digital signal processor 76.

The major components of integrated electrical circuit 62 areelectrically connected with bus 64. Power supply 66 may be one or morebatteries associated with hand-held device 50, or a standard powersupply associated with telephone circuits, or an enhanced power supplyassociated with peripherals such as a facsimile or modem. The specifictype of power supply 66 used with desk top console 200 and desk topcommunication device 150 will depend upon the communication featureswhich are being used, such as modem, facsimile, etc. Console 200 willpreferably include a battery charger to recharge power supply 66 whenhand-held communication device 50 is placed in console 200. Forcommunication services which require a high power supply, a transformerconnection (not shown) may be made from desk top communication device150 and console 200 to a standard electrical outlet with an appropriatetransformer (not shown) to reduce the normally available electricity toa voltage and current compatible with any batteries in power supply 66.Application modules 100 may contain their own battery power supply 166to augment power supply 66 used in hand-held communication device 50.

As shown in FIG. 7, four electrical circuits are associated withinteractive visual display 60. These circuits are touch controller 68,liquid crystal display controller 70 and its associated liquid crystaldisplay memory 72 and contrast control 74. These same components may beused with visual display 160. An important feature of the presentinvention is the wide variety of additional electrical circuits whichmay be connected with common bus 64. As shown in FIG. 7, these circuitsinclude digital signal processor 76, processor 80, resident memory 84and application module 100.

Processor 80 functions as the central controller for electrical circuit62 and the other electrical components associated with common bus 64.Processor 80 is preferably of a type designated as 80C51 microprocessorsavailable from several sources including Intel or similar typeprocessors available from Texas Instruments Incorporated such as the 370family of processors. However, a wide variety of general purposeprocessors and microcontrollers may be satisfactorily used with thepresent invention. In electrical circuit 62, a separate resident memory84 is provided to function with processor 80. Resident memory 84contains the resident applications and core software programs which areassociated with communication devices 50 and 150.

Modem 82, preferably a single chip with a modem integrated circuit, andcomputer terminal 88 are electrically connected with processor 80 aspart of electrical circuit 62 to allow receipt and transmission ofcomplex digital information between processor 80 and external sourcessuch as a personal computer (not shown). Computer connection 88 ispreferably an RS232 serial port connection appropriate for use withmodem 82. Modem 82 will have at least the capability of 1200 baud andpreferably the capability of 2400 to 4800 baud. Combining modem 82 withprocessor 80 and the other communications capabilities provided byelectrical circuit 62 allows communication device 50 to convert anyprinter into a facsimile machine. Electrical circuit 62 also includesphone line connection 86. Phone line connection 86 may include astandard telephone communication port 158 as shown on communicationdevice 150 in FIG. 3.

The use of processor 80 and its associated memory 84 in electricalcircuit 62 and processor 280 and its associated memory 284 in electricalcircuit 262 of FIG. 8 offers important advantages in standardization andinsuring commonality in operation and function with respect tocommunication devices 50 and 150. For example, processor 80 incooperation with either visual display 60 or digital signal processor 76will allow the volume from speaker 53 to be automatically adjusted inresponse to either voice commands through microphone 52 and digitalsignal processor 76, or touch commands placed on visual display 60.

Communication devices 50 and 150 provide the user with three broadcategories of applications and communication capabilities. Residentapplications and basic functions such as standard telephonecommunications are provided by resident memory 84 in cooperation withprocessor 80, and the other components of electrical circuit 62.Examples of other resident applications provided by resident memory 84include operation of modem 82, memory upload and download fromapplication modules 100, utility programs required to operate processor80 and digital signal processor 76, and telephone paging services.

Visual display 60b shown in FIG. 9a is an example of the enhanced pagingfunctions offered by combining processor 80, resident memory 84 andvisual display 60 as part of electrical circuit 62. Processor 80 may beprogrammed such that the paging circuit will alert the user when lid 54is in any of the positions shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d. The use ofthe intermediate position of lid 54 shown in FIG. 6b may be particularlyappropriate for paging functions offered by communication device 50. Aspreviously noted, telephone paging functions may be selected as one ofthe circuits which remains energized even when lid 54 is in its closedposition. In this condition, speaker 53 is available to alert the userthat a paging message has been received. Display 60b providesinformation concerning the date the page message was received, the typeof message, voice mail or fax, and the telephone number. Resident memory84 in cooperation with processor 80 and liquid crystal displaycontroller 70 allows selecting the type and format of paging informationreceived by the user of communication device 50.

The applications and communication functions provided by variousapplication modules 100 will be discussed later in more detail.Information services 30 and 32 may provide applications such asCompuserve and Prodigy, Dow Jones news retrieval services, geographicalinformation, weather services, city map locator, electronic and voicemail and other on-line database services. Facsimile capabilities may beprovided by a selected application module 100 and/or from informationservices 30 and 32.

Additional components of electrical circuit 62 include CODEC orencoder/decoder 78, microphone 52 and speaker 53. Microphone 52transforms voice communication into an analog electrical signal which istransformed by CODEC 78 into a digital bit stream for further processingby digital signal processor 76. In the same manner, digital signalprocessor 76 supplies a digital bit stream to CODEC 78 to provide ananalog input to speaker 53 for audible communication purposes. Anencoder/decoder 78 satisfactory for use in the present invention isavailable from Texas Instruments with part number TCM2917. Various typesof digital signal processors are commercially available for use asdigital signal processor 76 in electrical circuit 62. One such digitalsignal processor is available from Texas Instruments in Dallas, Tex.with a part number TMS320C51. As the capabilities of available digitalsignal processors increase, functions performed by processors 80 and 280may be combined with digital signal processor 76.

Voice recognition and voice command capabilities of communication device50 and communication device 150 offer important features and significantadvantages for the present invention. Since the user speaks into thesame microphone 52, 152 or 153 with the respective communication device50 or 150, the capabilities and the reliability of voice recognition aregreatly improved. User dependent spoken commands may be used to selectthe various communication options available from communication devices50 and 150. Spoken speed dialing numbers and spoken command selection ofthe various programs and applications offered by communication devices50 and 150 represent only two of the very large number of optionsavailable from using resident memory 84, processor 80 and digitalprocessor 76 in conjunction with each other in integrated circuit 62 andapplication modules 100.

Using voice commands, microphone 52, CODEC 78 and digital signalprocessor 76 allow inputting information onto signal bus 64 in the samemanner as touch sensitive visual display 60. An important feature of thepresent invention is that any function performed by the use of touchsensitive visual display 60 may also be performed by voice actuationsignals via microphone 52. Portions of the voice activation and voicecommunication capability may be provided at central facility 22.However, the present invention allows including CODEC 78 and digitalsignal processor 76 as part of each personal communication device 50 and150 respectively. Digital signal processors designated TSM320 areavailable from Texas Instruments in Dallas, Tex. for use withcommunication device 50 and 150. One or more MULTISERVE™ media serverswhich are also available from Texas Instruments may be provided at thecentral communication facility to work in conjunction with personalcommunication devices 50 and 150.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,242 titled "Speaker-Independent Word Recognizer" andU.S. Pat. No. 4,882,757 titled "Speech Recognition System" provideexamples of voice recognition equipment and associated electricalcircuits which may be satisfactorily used with the present invention.U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,712,242 and 4,882,757 which are assigned to TexasInstruments are incorporated by reference for all purposes within thisapplication. Digital signal processors along with data encryption anddecryption equipment and applications are available from TexasInstruments in Dallas, Tex. A booklet entitled Theory, Algorithms, andImplementations Volume 1 provides information concerning digital signalprocessing applications with the TMS320 family available from TexasInstruments. Chapter 16 of this booklet contains information forimplementation of data encryption standards using the TMS32010 digitalsignal processor.

Many of the components shown in electrical circuits 62 function in thesame manner in electrical circuits 262 of FIG. 8. For example, processor280 performs all of the functions previously described for processor 80in electrical circuit 62. One of the differences is that processor 280includes a self-contained memory unit 284 rather than requiring theseparate memory unit 84 as shown in FIG. 7 for electrical circuit 62.Memory unit 284 may be used to perform the same functions as memory unit84. A microprocessor designated as 87C51 with its own associated memoryunit is commercially available from several sources and is satisfactoryfor use as processor 280 and resident memory 284. Other types of generalpurpose processors and microcontrollers with built-in memory units maybe satisfactorily used as processor 280 and resident memory 284.

Touch controller 68 performs the same functions in both electricalcircuits 62 and electrical circuits 262. Touch controller 68 may also beused in conjunction with processors 80 and 280 to provide telephonekeypad 154 shown on communication device 150 and in FIG. 9a. Electricalcircuit 262 may be used with either communication device 50 orcommunication device 150.

As previously noted, integrated circuit 262 of FIG. 8 offers severalalternative embodiments of the present invention as compared tointegrated circuit 62. One important feature of electrical circuit 262is the use of dual microphones 77 and 177. The use of two microphonesgreatly enhances the quality of the audio transmission fromcommunication device 50 or 150 when electrical circuit 262 is usedwithin the respective communication device. Microphone 177 provides aninput to digital signal processor 76 through its own separate CODEC 178which will cancel using phase shift technology or similar approaches,any ambient sound which may be applied to the outgoing transmissionsignal through microphone 77. Thus, microphone 177 cooperates withmicrophone 77 and digital signal processor 76 to block transmittingenvironmental noise from communication device 50 or 150 ontocommunication system 20. In the same manner, digital signal processor 76may be used to cancel or filter ambient noise which has beensuperimposed upon any incoming or received signal by electrical circuit262. Also, digital signal processor 76 in cooperation with CODEC 78 willfilter out any stable sound patterns or sound characteristics associatedwith communication system 20, the particular communication network beingused and electrical circuits 262 within communication device 50 andcommunication device 150. The net result of incorporating digital signalprocessor 76 and processor 280 into electrical circuit 262 is asubstantially improved transmission and receipt of audio information.

Wireless communication circuits 90 have also been added to common bus 64as part of electrical circuits 262. Wireless communication circuits 90may provide standard, cellular communication capability or other specialradio frequencies associated with radio telephones. Antenna 92 will alsobe included as part of any communication device 50 which has electricalcircuit 262. Tri-state buffer 94 is preferably included as part ofelectrical circuits 262. Tri-state buffer 94 smoothes out theinterruption of electrical signals on bus 64 when application modules100 are inserted and removed from communication devices 50 and 150. Asthe electrical circuits and the memory storage capacity of applicationmodules 100 are increased, the need for a Tri-state buffer 94 alsoincreases.

An important feature of the present invention is providing interactivevisual display 60 as part of communication device 50 and interactivevisual display 160 as part of communication device 150. Visual displays60 and 160 are preferably touch-sensitive which greatly enhances thecommunication options and versatility offered by communication devices50 and 150. Visual displays 60 and 160 are preferably either color ormonochrome liquid crystal displays which may be used to provide graphicand textual information to the user.

Other types of touch sensitive visual displays may be satisfactorilyused with the present invention. Examples of other visual displayssatisfactory for use with the present invention includeelectro-chromatic, light emitting diodes, electron emitters behind aphosphor cover sheet, etc. Other examples of flat screen displayssatisfactory for use with the present invention include digitalmicromirror devices (sometimes referred to as deformable mirror devices)which are available from Texas Instruments, Inc. in Dallas, Tex. Thedigital micromirror device may be particularly advantageous for use withdesktop communication device 150.

Visual displays 60 and 160 provide the basis for an intuitive userinterface which may be used to both operate their respectivecommunication device 50 or 150 and to transmit or receive informationfrom other sources. Visual displays 60 and 160 function as an interfacefor the user of communication devices 50 and 150 respectively to performcomplex communication and control functions with simple touch commands.Visual displays 60 and 160 will preferably have dimensions of at least480 by 128 pixels to accommodate the communication and control functionsprovided by the present invention.

There are several general types of touch-sensitive visual displays whichmay be satisfactorily used with the present invention. Visual displays60 and 160 may be selected from any of these types. One general type oftouch-sensitive visual display is an analog system in which a resistivematerial is biased with a low voltage on one axis and a higher voltageacross the other axis. This type of visual display includes resistivematerial such that when the user touches one portion of the display itcan determine the ratio between the high voltage and low voltage. Theoutput from the contact caused by touching the visual display surface isa digital signal that is forwarded to processor 80 or 280 via touchcontroller 68. Based on the voltage, the signal indicates if it camefrom the left, right, top or bottom of the visual display. Processor 80or 280 can give information back to touch controller 68 indicating thatprocessor 80 or 280 knows that the user touched a particular set ofpixels within the respective display.

Another type of touch-sensitive display satisfactory for use with thepresent invention is referred to as the matrix type. For this visualdisplay, the screen is broken down into small pieces. For visual display60 the matrix might be 10×4 units to facilitate use with a hand-helddevice. For visual display 160 in desk top communication device 150, thematrix might be 10×10 units or 15×15 units. The specific dimensions ofthe matrix are selected to correspond with the smallest size which theuser can readily determine by touching the display. For example, theunits might be selected to correspond with the size of a normal user'sfinger. The matrix type touch sensitive visual display converts eachtouch on the display into a digital number. Therefore, each matrix inthe visual display has its own specific location.

Other types of touch-sensitive visual displays satisfactory for use withthe present invention include surface acoustic wave sensors, capacitancesensors, and electron scanning beams. The present invention allowsincorporating any satisfactory touch-sensitive visual display with theother components of electrical circuits 62 and 262.

As previously explained, visual displays 60 and 160 provide significantenhancement in the communication capabilities of communication devices50 and 150 respectively. In addition, digital signal processing circuit76 and CODEC 78 cooperate with microphone 52 and speaker 53 to providethe same communication capabilities and information capabilities inresponse to voice commands. The full range of capabilities ofcommunication devices 50 and 150 may be obtained by usingtouch-sensitive visual displays 60 and 160 or by using voice commandsthrough CODEC 78 and digital signal processor 76. The flexibility ofusing either voice commands or touch-sensitive visual display 60 and 160provides significant flexibility for the user of communication devices50 and 150.

FIG. 10 shows a typical block diagram of an electrical circuit 102 whichmay comprise a portion of application module 100. The basic componentsof electrical circuit 102 include power supply 166, processor 180,memory 184, transmitter and receiver 104, antenna 108, and connector106. Connector 106 is preferably a 68-pin connector commonly used inadvanced integrated circuits and compatible with common bus 64. Othertypes of edge and multiple pin connectors may be used with applicationmodule 100. The specific number and type of components placed on eachapplication module 100 depends upon the communication, control functionor other application which will be supplied by the specific applicationmodule 100. Selected application modules 100 may provide only softwareprograms for a specific communication function or may provide softwareprograms and electrical components to perform specific communication,control or information processing applications.

For example, one application module 100 may be used to only provideadditional memory to augment resident memory 84 or 284. In this case,application module 100 might have only connector 106 and program memory184. For other functions, module 100 may have all of the components asshown in FIG. 10. An example of the need for a more complex electricalcircuit provided by module 100 would be when communication device 50 isused to provide infrared communication capability. For such capability,power supply 166 would include one or more batteries to augment orassist power supply 66 associated with communication device 50.Transmitter and receiver 104 would include an appropriate infraredsignal generator. Antenna 106 would preferably include one or morelight-emitting diodes associated with infrared communication systems. Aselected application module 100 could be provided with programs and/orelectrical circuits to perform all or a portion of the voice recognitionfunctions described for digital signal processor 76 and CODEC 78.

Application modules 100 may be used to convert communication devices 50and 150 into an operating mechanism for a wide variety of systems andfunctions which extend beyond the normal telephone and radiocommunication networks. Application modules 100 may provide thealgorithm, database, software, and/or special hardware required toprovide these additional functions and applications. For example, aselected application module 100 may be used to convert communicationdevice 50 into a remote control unit for operating a television, videocassette recorder, or a garage door opener. Another application module100 may be used to allow communication devices 50 and 150 to function aspersonal databases for the user and to integrate information from thedatabase into the various communication functions provided bycommunication device 50 and 150. Application modules 100 result incommunication devices 50 and 150 being part of an open system which canbe expanded as desired by the user.

Application module 100 could also be designed for use with a low powerwireless communication system sometimes referred to as PBX systems foundin large commercial buildings and hospitals. For this purpose, circuit102 would include transmitter and receiver 104 having the appropriatefrequency for the broadcasting system in a specific building andmicrostrip antenna 108 for communicating with the building's internalwireless PBX system. Thus, information associated with the specificbuilding such as a patient's medical status may be transmitted within ahospital to a doctor having communication device 50 and the appropriateapplication module 100. The selected application module 100 for eachbuilding may function as a transponder, which identifies the user ofcommunication device 50 to the building PBX system.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,937 titled "Microprocessor System Having High OrderCapability" and U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,181 titled "Module For An IntegratedCircuit System" provide examples of the types of integrated circuitswhich may be placed on application modules 100. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,153,937and 4,295,181 which are assigned to Texas Instruments are incorporatedby reference for all purposes within this application.

Wireless communication functions may be provided by communication device50 through the use of integrated circuit 262 with wireless communicationcircuits 90 in cooperation with one or more application modules 100. Forcommunication devices 50 and 150 which have integrated electricalcircuit 62, wireless communication functions may be provided solely byone or more application modules 100. When wireless communicationfunctions are provided by a selected application module 100, theappropriate microstrip antenna 108 may be included as part of theapplication module 100. When wireless communication functions areprovided by circuits 90, information may be stored in program memory 184of the selected application module 100 to properly position antenna 92for the electromagnetic frequency spectrum associated with the selectedapplication module 100.

When wireless communication circuits 90 are built into integratedcircuit 262, it is sometimes difficult to reconfigure or readjust thesebuilt-in communication circuits when additional frequencies becomeavailable for use with communication devices 50 and 150. An importantfeature of the present invention is that selected application modules100 may be inserted into communication device 50 or 150 to provideadditional frequency capability as additional portions of theelectromagnetic spectrum are made available for use with communicationsystem 20. One application module 100 may be selected to providecommunication in the 900 megahertz range. Another application module 100may be selected to provide wireless communication in the frequency rangeassociated with cordless telephones. Application modules 100 allowcommunication devices 50 and 150 to provide wireless communicationthroughout the full range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

In addition to providing capabilities in different portions of theelectromagnetic frequency spectrum, the respective application modules100 may also include the protocol appropriate for each type ofcommunication. For example, the protocol used with PBX communicationsystems within a building are substantially different from thecommunication protocols used in cellular telephone networks. Theseprotocols are also subject to revision and change as each specificcommunication network is modified. When a change in protocol occurs, theaffected application module 100 may simply be replaced without requiringextensive rework or modification of communication devices 50 and 150.

As previously noted, a wide variety of application modules 100 may beused with communication devices 50 and 150. Each communicationcapability or function provided by application modules 100 may beactivated and controlled by either touch sensitive visual displays 60and 160 or voice commands via digital signal processor 76. Processor 180and memory 184 provided in electrical circuit 102 cooperate with eachother to provide a wide range of capabilities with respect toapplication modules 100. For example, a user may store information onapplication module 100 to indicate the user's preference with respect tothe type of information presented on visual display 60 or 160, a seriesof frequently used long distance telephone numbers and access codes, andtelephone numbers to obtain information from information services 30 and32. A selected application module 100 may be programmed to screenundesired telephone calls. Application modules 100 may also provide acalendar or date reminder services or allow visual displays 60 and 160to function as calculators.

Application modules 100 in cooperation with the appropriate processor 80or 280 and associated digital signal processor 76, CODEC 78 andmicrophones 52, 77, or 153 allow the user of communication device 50 or150 to select the desired level of security appropriate for each type ofcommunication function. A selected application module 100 may beprovided with an electrical circuit such as presently available"scramblers". Electrical circuit 102 on the selected application modulecan provide encryption and decryption with respect to graphic andtextual information transmitted between communication devices 50 and 150and central facility 22.

Digital signal processor 76 and its associated voice activation circuitsallows enhanced security as compared to only using a selectedapplication module 100 for "scrambling" or encryption and decryption ofthe transmitted information. Digital signal processor 76 allows voiceverification of the user of communication device 50 and 150. Voiceverification information may be stored at central facility 22 and/orwithin digital signal processor 76. Voice verification insures that onlyauthorized users are sending and receiving information overcommunication network 20. For example, the user of communication device50 with voice commands may activate a selected communication applicationand communication network with central facility 22 that provides securecommunications by encryption and decryption of the transmittedinformation. In addition, the voice command used at communication device50 may be verified by central facility 22 to confirm the identity of theuser. Thus, central facility 22 may broadcast highly sensitive valuableinformation in a coded format to communication device 50 or 150 with ahigh degree of confidence that only an authorized user of communicationdevice 50 or 150 will receive the valuable, sensitive information.

Authentication of the user of communication device 50 and 150 may alsobe provided by having the user inserting a preselected code using visualdisplay 60 or 160. Voice verification of the user of communicationdevice 50 and 150 is preferred due to the unique characteristics ofvoice information. Code words and code numbers may be lost or stolenwhich compromises the integrity of the associated security system. Voiceauthentication and verification substantially reduces this risk ofcompromising communication security. The previously described encryptionand decryption system could be hardwired into the integrated electricalcircuits 62 and 262. However, providing encryption and decryption with aselected application module 100 offers enhanced flexibility for the userof communication devices 50 and 150.

Voice authentication capabilities offered by digital signal processor 76in conjunction with microphone 52 provides several unique capabilitiesfor communication device 50. Since the same microphone 52 is used by theuser, digital signal processor 76 can quickly develop a template of theuser's voice and readily recognize commands from the user. Therefore, ifan application module 100, which allows opening the users' garage doorwas installed in communication device 50, digital signal processor 76 incooperation with processor 80 would only allow communication device 50to respond to the users' voice in opening the garage door. Whencommunication device 50 is used as part of a cellular telephone network,the identification of the specific communication device 50 is generallytransmitted to the central facility 22 as part of the cellular networkprotocol. Voice recognition of the user provided by digital signalprocessor 76 allows confirmation of the users' identity in addition tothe identification number of the specific communication device 50. Sincethe user speaks into the same microphone 52, a voice recognitiontemplate may be easily constructed at both the central facility 22 andwithin digital signal processor 76. Thus, voice recognition can be usedfor multiple security purposes including insuring that only authorizedprograms and application are carried out by communication devices 50 and150 and for insuring that only an authorized user is operatingcommunication devices 50 and 150.

In addition to the previously described security systems and procedures,processor 180 in electrical circuit 102 allows varying the frequency atwhich wireless communication is transmitted by communication devices 50and 150. Thus, processor 180 may be programmed to skip or to changefrequencies in a pattern which can only be understood by centralfacility 22. Application modules 100 allow selecting the degree or thelevel of security and the type of security features which may includebut are not limited to voice verification of the user, encryption anddecryption of the information transferred and received, and frequencyhopping during transmissions. For complex security functions more thanone application module 100 may be installed in lid 54.

All communication networks have limited capacity for transmittinginformation and data. As the variety and volume of informationincreases, the capacity of each communication network becomes a limitingfactor for the number of users which can use a specific network.Application modules 100 and processors 80 and 280 offer substantialopportunities to reduce the amount of information which must betransmitted over a specific communication network.

FIGS. 9a through 9d show various types of information which may bedisplayed to the user of communication device 50. All of the informationshown in each visual display 60b, 60c, 60d and 60e may be transmittedfrom an appropriate information service 30 or 32. However, much of theinformation shown on these visual displays is standard and either doesnot change or changes only occasionally over time. This relativelyconstant information may be stored in memory 184 of the selectedapplication module 100 to substantially reducing the amount ofinformation which must be transmitted from information service 30 or 32via the specific communication network to create the desired visualdisplay 60b, 60c, 60d or 60e. Therefore, only information which iscritical in nature or has changed must be transmitted via the selectedcommunication network. This feature substantially expands and improvesthe capabilities of communication system 20. For example, the downtownmap of Dallas, Tex. shown in display 60e may be activated by only a verylimited digital signal or code assigned to this particular display.

Visual display 60a shown in FIG. 7 represents standard telephonecapabilities offered by touch sensitive visual display 60 in cooperationwith communication device 50. This same information and capabilities maybe offered by visual display 160. Selected portions of visual display60a provide all of the functions normally associated with current stateof the art telephones, such as connect, transfer, hold and automaticredial. It is important to note that these same functions and operatingprocedures are provided with both the hand held communication device 50and desk top communication device 150.

Visual display 60b shown in FIG. 9a represents the advancedcommunication and paging capabilities offered by the present invention.The information shown on display 60b indicates the status of informationavailable to the user from either central facility 22 or informationservice 30 or 32. By touching the appropriate portion of touch sensitivedisplay 60, each of these messages will be presented to the user.Processor 80 in cooperation with liquid crystal display controller 70allows selected messages on visual display 60 to flash, such as thevoice mail message at time 8:22 would flash until this voice mailmessage has been reviewed by the user. The lower portion of visualdisplay 60b shows additional communication functions 154 available fromcommunication devices 50 and 150. Processors 80 and 280 allowprogramming their associated communication device 50 and 150 to screencalls from selected telephone numbers.

Visual display 60c is an example of price list information which can bemade readily available to sales personnel and other representatives of acompany. As previously noted, the basic information shown on visualdisplay 60c may be stored in program memory 184 on the appropriateapplication module 100. When the price list application is activated forcommunication device 50 or 150, only changes in the price list need tobe transmitted via the communication network. The other informationconcerning part numbers, item numbers and prices, which has not changed,is presented on visual display 60c without requiring additionalelectromagnetic transmissions from central facility 22. This samebenefit applies to stock prices shown on visual display 60d and the maplocator shown on visual display 60e. Some of the applications availablefrom different application modules 100 include enhanced telephone, pricelist, stock exchange and electronic map or locator services.

Program memory 184 with processor 180 of application modules 100 alongwith liquid crystal display controller 70 and processor 80 with residentmemory 84 cooperate to allow a condensed format for informationtransmitted by communication system 20 to control the format andcomposition of information presented on visual display 60 withoutrequiring transmission of pixel by pixel information. Common graphicsymbols such as a circle, square, parallel lines, and similar graphicinformation may be stored in either liquid crystal display controller 70or resident memory 84 and called up for use on visual display 60 by ahigh level display description language. Unique information such as thepricing format shown in visual display 60c of FIG. 9b may be stored inprogram memory 184 of the appropriate application module 100 used forcommunicating pricing information. Pixel level control information isprovided from memory 184 and processor 180 rather than transmission overa communication network from another source within communication system20.

The quality of the graphic information and the type of graphicinformation presented on visual display 60 is a function of liquidcrystal display controller 70 and/or the associated application module100. The information transmitted by communication system 20 is the samehigh level display information without requiring a different language ordisplay information for each type of communication device and withoutdepending upon the resolution quality of the particular visual displayscreen used in communication device 50 or 150.

Touching visual display 60 can be used as an input to program memory 184via processor 180 on the appropriate application module 100. The inputsignal will include coordinates of the pixels that were touched onvisual display 60. Touch controller 68 in cooperation with processor 80and liquid crystal display controller 70 allows the user to control thepresentation on visual display 60. For example, the user may touch aportion of visual display 60 which calls for presenting alphanumericcharacters. Parameters for these characters such as upper case, lowercase, font and size would be contained within program memory 184 asappropriate for the particular type of application performed by theassociated application module 100. As another example, interactivevisual display 60 may be touched by the user in the appropriate locationto call up telephone communication functions represented by visualdisplay 60a. The request from the user for "telephone" as shown invisual display 60f of FIG. 8 provides an input to both resident memory284 and program memory 184 in the selected application module 100 whichprovide the parameters for the buttons shown in visual display 60a.These parameters which are stored in the appropriate program memory 184would include midpoint, size, shape (round, square, etc.), type ofcorner (round, slant, sharp), surface quality and shading. Otherpictorial elements associated with a particular communication functionactivated by visual display 60 would also be provided by program memory184. These functions include, but are not limited to, line width, thestarting and ending coordinates for any lines, any curvatures withinlines, and any patterns or textures associated with each communicationfunction and its related graphical presentation on visual display 60.

Various menus for the applications available within communicationdevices 50 and 150 will be presented on their respective visual displays60 and 160. Since the visual displays 60 and 160 are touch sensitive,static pressure above a fixed threshold of time may be used to activatethe specific application shown on the menu. Static pressure on aselected number of pixels provides input to the associated electricalcircuit 62 or 262.

Visual display 60f shown in FIG. 8 is a representation of one of themenus for communication programs and applications available withcommunication devices 50 and 150. Static pressure on the portion of themenu in display 60f labeled "telephone" will result in producingtelephone functions as represented by visual display 60a of FIG. 7. Inthe same manner, static pressure on the application labeled "hospital"will activate communication programs associated with a particularhospital communication network. As previously noted, a selectedapplication module 100 should also be inserted into communication device50 to modify electrical circuit 262 for use with the particular hospitalcommunication network. In the same manner, static pressure on otherportions of visual display 60f will provide other communicationfunctions such as "Secure Communications" when desired. Again, theappropriate application module 100 will need to be inserted intocommunication device 50 or 150 to correspond with the applicationselected on the menu of visual display 60f.

In addition to static pressure signals, touch sensitive visual displays60 respond to movement or stroking gestures across the surface of eachvisual display. Gestures such as moving up, down, diagonally or sidewaysacross visual display 60 may provide input via the appropriate touchcontroller 68 to the associated processor 80 or 280. Each gesture may becoded to indicate a higher level of display description language whichwill be presented on visual display 60. Touch controller 68 isprogrammed to respond to gestures which exceed a threshold requirementfor distance travelled across the surface of visual display 60 andpressure applied to the surface of visual display 60. The above commentsalso apply to using static pressure and gestures to operate visualdisplay 160.

Gestural input is a particularly important advantage of the presentinvention with respect to navigating through the many menus which areavailable as a result of the wide variety of communication applicationsand control functions offered by the present invention. Gesturalmovement across the surface of visual displays 60 and 160 areparticularly beneficial in moving either forwards or backwards throughthe various menus provided by communication devices 50 and 150.

Visual display 60f of FIG. 8 has an arrow labeled "forward" at the topof the menu and an arrow labeled "backward" at the bottom of the menu.Gestural movement across the word "forward" in the direction indicatedby the arrow will cause the menu on display 60f to move forward withrespect to other programs and applications available with electricalcircuit 262 and the respective application module 100 connected withelectrical circuit 262. In the same manner, gestural movement across theword "backward" in the direction indicated by the arrow will cause themenu on 60f to move backward with respect to the available programs andapplications. The previous description applies to only one of the manyuses of gestural movements on interactive visual displays 60 and 160 toimprove the user interface with communication devices 50 and 150 andcommunication system 20.

Additional information concerning touch screen visual displays may befound in an article titled "Touchscreen Interfaces for Alphanumeric DataEntry" published by the Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 36thAnnual Meeting in 1992 written by Catherin Plaisant and Andrew Sears.Additional information concerning gestural movement and the use ofgestural movement on interactive visual displays may be found in anarticle titled "Gesture Set Economics for Text and Spreadsheet Editors"published by the Proceedings of the Human Factor Society 34th AnnualMeeting 1990 written by Lewis A. Blatt and Alan Schell.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various other embodiments of the invention will beapparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thisdescription. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims willcover any such modifications of the embodiments as fall within the truescope and spirit of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A multiple purpose communication system for exchanginginformation comprising:a communication network for transmitting andreceiving information; a communication device for transmitting andreceiving information using the communication network the communicationdevice having a plurality of electrical circuits for communicatinginformation including a processor and an associated memory for executingcommunication programs and applications with the electrical circuits,the communication device further comprising:a plurality of applicationmodules; and a receptacle for installing a selected application moduleinto the communication device; a microphone for entering informationinto the communication device; a speaker for transmitting informationfrom the communication device; an interactive visual display fordisplaying selected information by the communication device; and a voicerecognition circuit for activating selected communication programs andapplications provided by the processor and the associated memory inresponse to information supplied from the microphone.
 2. Thecommunication system as defined in claim 1 wherein the electricalcircuit of the communication device further comprises voice verificationinformation stored in the digital signal processor.
 3. The communicationsystem as defined in claim 1 further comprising:a central facilityhaving voice verification information stored at the central facility;and the communication network transmitting voice verificationinformation between the communication device and the central facility.4. The communication system as defined in claim 1 wherein a selectedapplication module further comprises:an electrical circuit for executingcommunication programs and applications in cooperation with theelectrical circuits of the communication device; and the electricalcircuit of the selected application module including memory unit havinga program for encryption and decryption of information transmitted andreceived by the communication device.
 5. The communication system asdefined in claim 4 further comprising a hand-held communication deviceand a desktop communication device providing the same communicationprograms and applications for secure transmission and receipt ofinformation.
 6. The communication system as defined in claim 1 wherein aselected application module further comprises:an electrical circuit forexecuting programs and applications in cooperation with the electricalcircuits of the communication device; and the electrical circuit of theselected application module including a memory unit for the securetransmission and receipt of information when the respective applicationmodule is installed in the communication device.
 7. The communicationsystem as defined in claim 6 wherein the selected application modulefurther comprises:a microprocessor for executing communication programsand applications in cooperation with the electrical circuits of thecommunication device; and the electrical circuit of the applicationmodule providing means for shifting the frequency of the communicationdevice to ensure secure communications.
 8. The communication system asdefined in claim 6 wherein the selected application module furthercomprises:a microprocessor for executing communication programs andapplications in cooperation with the electrical circuits of thecommunication device; and the electrical circuit of the applicationmodule providing means for secure communications by encryption anddecryption of the information.
 9. The communication system as defined inclaim 4 further comprising a selected application module for encryptionand decryption of information transmitted and received by the visualdisplay.
 10. A communication device for transmitting and receivinginformation in a communication system having a plurality ofcommunication networks comprising:a plurality of electrical circuits forcommunicating information including a processor and an associated memoryfor executing communication programs and applications with theelectrical circuits; a plurality of application modules; a receptaclefor installing a selected application module into the communicationdevice; a microphone for entering information into the communicationdevice; a speaker for transmitting information from the communicationdevice; an interactive visual display for displaying selectedinformation and for activating selected communication programs andapplications; and a voice recognition circuit for activating selectedcommunication programs and applications provided by the communicationdevice in response to voice commands from an authorized user of thecommunication device.
 11. The communication device as defined in claim10 wherein the electrical circuit of the communication device furthercomprises a digital signal processor and voice verification informationstored in the digital signal processor.
 12. The communication device asdefined in claim 10 further comprising:a central facility having voiceverification information stored at the central facility; and thecommunication network transmitting voice verification informationbetween the communication device and the central facility.
 13. Thecommunication device as defined in claim 10 wherein a selectedapplication module further comprises:an electrical circuit for executingcommunication programs and applications in cooperation with theelectrical circuits of the communication device; and the electricalcircuit of the selected application module including a memory unithaving a program for encryption and decryption of informationtransmitted and received by the communication device.
 14. Thecommunication device as defined in claim 13 further comprising ahand-held communication device or a desktop communication deviceproviding the same communication programs and applications for securetransmission and receipt of information.
 15. The communication device asdefined in claim 13 wherein a selected application module furthercomprises:an electrical circuit for executing communication programs andapplications in cooperation with the electrical circuits of thecommunication device; and the electrical circuit of the selectedapplication module including a memory unit for the secure transmissionand receipt of information when the selected application module isinstalled in the communication device.
 16. The communication system asdefined in claim 15 wherein the selected application module furthercomprises:a processor for executing communication programs andapplications in cooperation with the electrical circuits of thecommunication device; and the electrical circuit of the applicationmodule providing means for shifting the frequency of the communicationdevice to ensure secure communications.
 17. The communication device asdefined in claim 13 further comprising a selected application module forencryption and decryption of information transmitted and received by thevisual display.
 18. A method for secure exchange of information within acommunication system having a central facility, one or morecommunication networks and one or more communication devices with aplurality of electrical circuits for communicating information and theelectrical circuits including a processor and an associated memory forexecuting communication programs and applications with the electricalcircuits comprising the steps of:installing a application module havinga memory unit containing a security program into a selectedcommunication device; connecting the application module with theelectrical circuits of the communication device; operating thecommunication device using the security program provided by theapplication module in cooperation with the electrical circuits of thecommunication device; entering information into the communication devicefrom a microphone; and activating the secured communication programprovided by the application module in response to information suppliedfrom the microphone.
 19. The method for secure exchange of informationas defined in claim 18 further comprising the steps of:sending a signalfrom the microphone to a digital signal processor provided within theelectrical circuits of the communication device; storing a voicetemplate for authorized users of the communication device within thedigital signal processor; and comparing the voice information enteredfrom the microphone with the voice template for authorized users of thecommunication device.
 20. A multiple purpose communication system forexchanging information comprising:a communication device fortransferring information using electromagnetic energy; the communicationdevice having a plurality of microprocessors and associated electroniccircuits; a microphone to receive information and a speaker to transmitinformation; an interactive visual display for entering information intothe communication device; a plurality of application modules and areceptacle for selectively installing application modules into thecommunication device; and a security circuit for encryption anddecryption of selected information included with one of the applicationmodules.
 21. A multiple purpose communication system as defined in claim20, further comprising:a central facility having a secure communicationcircuit compatible with the secure communication circuit in thecommunication device; and the secure communication circuit at thecentral facility allowing exchange of information after receipt of anauthorized access signal from the communication device.
 22. A multiplepurpose communication system as defined in claim 21, furthercomprising:a voice verification circuit in the secure communicationcircuit of the communication device; and voice verification informationstored in the secure communication circuit at the central facility.